Historical information: Samuel Alfred Barrett (1879-1965) was born in Conway, Arkansas. He studied Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley and became the first student to complete a doctorate under Alfred Kroeber in 1908. During his time as a graduate student (circa 1902-1908) Barrett conducted ethnographic and linguistic fieldwork among several California communities. After graduating, he accompanied the George G. Heye expedition and conducted fieldwork among the Cayapa of Ecuador. Barrett held the position of Curator of Anthropology at the Milwaukee Public Museum from 1909-1920, and subsequently served as the museum's director from 1920-1940.

Scope and content: The Papers include field notes, texts, file slips and notes on ethnological and linguistic topics, chiefly relating to Barrett's field work in California and Ecuador. The largest amount of material relates to texts and dictionaries in several Pomoan languages. Cayapa material includes word lists and a draft of a grammar. The Papers also include vocabulary and ethnographic notes on Eskimo, Karuk, Maidu, Patwin, Tsimshian, Wappo, Wintu, Yokuts and Yuki. Consultants include Jo Bill, Josie Buck, Bill Fetch, Bill James, Jim Murphy, Bob Pat, and four consultants identified by first name: Tall River Jack, Big Dick, Idaho Pete and Fernando.

Repository: Survey of California and Other Indian Languages

Preferred citation: Samuel Alfred Barrett Papers, SCL Barrett, Survey of California and Other Indian Languages, University of California, Berkeley, http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.7297/X2X63JTH